Forum - View topic

20th Century Boys

When Kenji was a kid (in the late 60's-70's), he and his friends made up great adventures, fantasizing about themselves being the heros who would save everyone from a deadly terrorist attack upon the world. Now we're in the year 1997: Kenji left his rock band and all his dreams many years ago, and now works at a convenience store with his mother, also taking care of his niece, Kanna - since his sister disappeared misteriously some time ago, after being involved with a strange cult.

Everything changes when one of Kenji's childhood friends supposedly commits suicide, and when terrorist attacks begin to occur in exactly the same way they all imagined to be. It all seems to be related to that new Tomodachi cult that's getting more popular every day... Besides, to make things a little more complicated, the Tomodachi cult symbol is the same symbol Kenji's childhood friends used so many years ago to identify themselves, to call themselves true friends. So... it's obvious that the leader of the cult, the person behind the terrorist attacks who knows every idea they plotted when they were kids, must be one of them - but who? Kenji feels a lot responsible because most of the evil terrorist plans were originally his ideas, and because of that he will do his best to save the world for real. But he will be able to do it?

If I was bored with the first 1 and a half vols, should I even bother reading the rest? I can't seem to muster enough strength to continue it.

godakame wrote:

If I was bored with the first 1 and a half vols, should I even bother reading the rest? I can't seem to muster enough strength to continue it.

Was there not enough fighting for you, or something? Kidding. Some people just have different tastes, and you obviously don't like this type of manga. I was hooked after a few chapters. If you weren't, I wouldn't bother with the rest.

So is it the general consensus that this manga's quality took a dive after spoiler[the more recent timeskip]? Because I know I think so, but I don't see nearly as much bitching about it as I would expect. Normally there's no shortage of bitching on forums whenever people feel a popular manga goes downhill in the least bit... Where are all the other bitter nerds? ...or am I just alone in thinking that 20thCB ain't like it used to be?

I'd like to read this since I love Monster, but even though Viz licsensed it, Urasawa won't let it be released until after Monster is complete in the US. I'm not sure if I can find scans because of this. I plan on reading Pluto soon though.

I don't think it took a dive at all. I thought spoiler[the first timeskip] had a bit of a drop in quality, but the newest one I like. In fact, I think it's all building up to something really cool. We just have to wait now until Urasawa finishes it.

Disagree. After about volume 3 (can't remember the specific) location 20th kicks into standard-Urasawa mode and becomes fast paced, even more-so than Monster. Personally I liked the slower start. It introduced the characters and their problems in an almost nostalgic way, dropping small hints at the insane, earth-shattering plot that reveals itself. 20th has always stuck me as a better manga than Monster, both in terms of my personal taste and execution. The characterizations are better, the thrills are more suprising and for lack of a better word, it has more heart. The flashbacks become a welcome beakon of hope when compared with the grimness of the modern world. Monster's lighter scenes always struck me as corny diversions from the real story; Tenma warms an old man's heart, Tenma teaches a mercinary how to love etc. These aren't really a big deal, but for a manga that everyone (especially Viz' packaging) takes so seriously as literature they're a bit out of place (maybe the reason I like his cold-as-ice PLUTO so much).